• I'm a frequent flyer and I love an aisle seat in first or business class.
• If I'm in economy, I go for an aisle seat in an exit row or behind a bulkhead so I get more legroom.
• Generally, I try to get an aisle seat and avoid sitting near a bathroom or galley.

As a frequent traveler, I fly almost every week. Last year, I went on 62 flights.

Naturally, I have developed a number of preferences when it comes to where I'm sitting on a plane. My favorite place to sit is in an aisle seat in business or first class.

But even my Premier 1K status on United doesn't always get me upgraded, so I make sure to be strategic when studying that seat map for economy.

Here are the seats I try to choose on a plane when I want a comfortable, pleasant flight.

I enjoy the roominess of an exit row seat

When I can't snag an upgrade, you'll find me in the aisle seat in the roomy exit row.

If my aircraft has two exit rows, one behind the other, which is the case for the Boeing 737 Max aircraft on which I often travel, I select the row closer to the back of the cabin.

Because of safety regulations, the exit row in front of me can't recline into my exit row, which prevents inconsiderate passengers from leaning back into my personal space.

Just keep in mind that exit row seats also come with certain requirements, including the willingness to help other passengers in an emergency.

Bulkhead seats have several benefits, and one major drawback

I'm also known to select seats in the bulkhead row that's directly behind a wall, curtain, or screen because they often come with extra legroom. Plus, I can guarantee there won't be a passenger in front of me reclining right into my lap.

For me, this spot has one drawback: There are no seats in front of me to store my bag under, and I can't keep it by my feet for safety reasons.

So if I book this seat, I try to board quickly and secure space in a nearby overhead bin so I can access my belongings throughout the flight.

If I'm flying with another person, we both book aisle seats

When I'm with a travel companion and we want to sit together in a typical three-seat row, one of us will end up with the dreaded middle seat.

Since being next to the aisle is basically a nonnegotiable for me, I'll instead book two aisle seats directly across from one another. This way, we're still close enough to chat and feel like we're traveling together, but we still have a decent amount of space.

Another (riskier) strategy is to book the window and aisle of the same row — if you're lucky, the middle seat might remain empty.

If I have a connecting flight to catch, I choose an aisle seat toward the front of the plane

I've been on many trips where the flight attendant gets on the intercom to ask most passengers to remain seated while several people with tight connections deboard.

Unfortunately, I've often seen that request ignored. So if I have a connecting flight to catch and only an hour or so to do it, I book an aisle seat as close to the front of the cabin as possible.

Those extra few minutes when everyone is fiddling with their overhead luggage could mean the difference between making or missing my next flight.

If my preferred seats are taken, I try to be far from a bathroom or galley, where people typically congregate

A seat by a bathroom isn't preferable for several reasons.

For one thing, passengers might be lining up throughout the flight to wait to use it. This means spending a lot of the flight with butts near your face.

You'll also frequently hear the toilet flushing, and bad aromas may waft out the door, neither of which goes well with your pretzels and ginger ale.

I also avoid sitting near a galley area, which can also have a lot of foot traffic because it's where flight attendants prep the food and beverage service.

This spot is convenient if you want to grab another drink or get your meal quickly, but it can get noisy and busy. This is especially important to keep in mind if you're a light sleeper.

• A Cathay Pacific flight attendant mistakenly served a glass of white wine to a child in business class.
• His mother said there was a "lack of care" for her son after the incident.
• The airline said it sincerely apologized and had launched an internal review.

Cathay Pacific apologized to a family after a flight attendant mistakenly served a 3-year-old boy a glass of white wine with his meal.

The incident occurred in business class on Flight 255 from Hong Kong to London on April 24.

The child's mother contacted the South China Morning Post after initially posting on a Chinese social media platform.

The woman, whom the publication identified only by the surname Wong, said the child took a sip of what he thought to be water and said it tasted sour. His father then checked the drink and found it was actually wine.

The mother said flight attendants quickly replaced her son's drink with water.

The airline told Business Insider in a statement that the cabin crew put out a call to medical personnel aboard the flight and consulted a ground-based medical service before monitoring the boy's condition for the rest of the flight.

"During the whole process, there was a lack of care for my son," the woman told the SCMP. "They gave me the impression that they were trying to shirk responsibility."

Cathay Pacific said it "sincerely apologises" for the incident.

"We take this matter very seriously and have launched an internal review to ensure appropriate follow-up actions are implemented and goodwill is being offered," the airline said. "We will continue to support and assist the family."

• During my decade as a flight attendant, I found ways to make travel better and more seamless.
• I recommend contacting hotels directly ask for lower rates, which has worked for me.
• Basic tips, like not checking a bag, have saved me time at the airport.

I worked as a flight attendant for 10 years. Even after I left the job, I continued traveling the world and have been to more than 74 countries.

As I've globe-trotted for work and leisure, I've learned a thing or two about how to make travel as seamless and enjoyable as possible.

Here are 10 tips I learned during my days as a flight attendant and still use when I fly.

Stay awake until bedtime the day you arrive in a new time zone

After an overnight flight, I'm always tempted to collapse into my hotel bed. However, as someone who's gone straight to sleep after landing and struggled to adjust to a new time zone, I recommend staying awake.

I used to have a rule that I'd let myself take a short nap if I landed in the morning, but if I arrived any time after noon, I'd force myself to stay up until the evening. 

Powering through the first day until bedtime helps me adjust to a new time zone, get the best possible night's sleep, and beat jet lag. 

When it's finally time to snooze, be sure to set an alarm so you don't sleep through the morning.

Ditch your checked bag and opt for just a carry-on instead

When I was a flight attendant, I got into the habit of traveling with just a carry-on suitcase and a tote bag.

This method allows me to have my belongings with me at all times and lowers the risk of losing luggage halfway around the world. Traveling with only a carry-on also means I can avoid waiting in long check-in lines and wasting time at baggage claim.

Most airlines allow passengers to bring a carry-on plus a purse or small backpack into the cabin, but you should still check the luggage policy before arriving at the airport.

If you're trying to pack everything in a carry-on, I suggest freeing up space in your bag by wearing larger items, like coats and boots, on the plane. 

Put a shoe in your hotel safe to remember any valuables

Leaving a hotel and realizing that you left your most valuable, important possessions in the safe is horrible.

I have a simple solution to help avoid making this mistake. When you put all of your items and documents in the hotel safe, place one of your shoes in there too — preferably one that you'll wear the day you check out.

You're probably not going to head out of the hotel wearing one shoe, so the trick is a good way to make sure you remember to empty the safe before you leave.

This was the first piece of advice another crew member gave me when I was a flight attendant. I found it so helpful that I've passed it down to countless other crew members and plane passengers over the years.

If you check a bag, invest in a luggage tracker and packing cubes

Portable trackers and packing cubes are game changers for travelers who check luggage. 

I wish portable tracking devices, like Apple AirTags, were around when I was a flight attendant. They're easy to pop into your suitcase to help locate misplaced bags.

Packing cubes were my best friend when I needed to take a lot of items with me for long trips.

The cubes divide your belongings into separate sections and help keep them organized. If you're looking for a particular item in your suitcase, they save you a ton of time.

Look into last-minute jet charters — they might be less expensive than you think 

Flying private may seem like an extravagant option (and it usually is), but jet charters can be surprisingly economical depending on where you're traveling — and especially if you're flying with a group. 

Many operating companies offer discounted charters for last-minute, empty-leg sectors. If a jet is scheduled to fly to or from a destination without passengers, the companies will try to fill it shortly beforehand for a lower price. Companies such as Lux Aviator and Daflo Jets often advertise these open sectors on social media.

You can also book a single seat on a semi-private jet rather than having to charter an entire aircraft with airlines like Aero.

Download a translation app before you arrive at an international destination

Before your flight lands, download a translation app, like Google Translate, in the local language so you can use it offline.

This tip has served me well on trips to places where English isn't widely spoken and internet access is spotty. Even if the translation isn't perfect, the app helps get your message across.

I also recommend downloading currency-convertor apps ahead of arrival so you can use them offline too.

Contact hotels directly to ask for the best room rate

Most people think that hotel-booking platforms provide the cheapest accommodation prices, but that's not always the case. If you want to stay at a specific hotel, call or email the property directly to ask for a less expensive rate.

I've been amazed at the number of times this tip has worked for me. Sometimes it's even gotten me an upgrade to a higher room category.

For travelers intent on getting a restful night's sleep, call the hotel and request a room that's in a different part of the hotel than the pool or entertainment area.

Not all hotels have irons, but you can still remove clothing creases without them

Many hotel rooms around the world don't have irons, which wasn't ideal when my flight-attendant uniform had to be pristine and wrinkle-free. 

To avoid paying for an ironing service or waiting for a communal iron, I pack a small travel steamer to remove creases from clothes.

If you don't have one, crank the hair dryer in your hotel room to the hottest setting and blow the air close to your clothes. 

Alternatively, you can hang your garments in the bathroom, run the shower at the highest temperature, and shut the door for 10 minutes. In my experience, the shower steam smooths out the creases.  

Pack enough medicine to get you through the trip, and include extra in case of emergency

Just because you can buy certain over-the-counter and prescription medications at home doesn't mean they'll be readily available when you travel.

Every time I prepare to fly, I make a basic travel pack with enough medications to get me through my trip. I also recommend bringing a backup supply in case you lose some or extend your travels.

Just make sure to do your research about drug laws in the places you visit, as some medicines that are legal in the US are banned in other countries. 

Consider getting a prepaid travel card to help you stick to a budget

When I was a flight attendant, I would always get a prepaid travel card, which I loaded with a set amount of money.

It helped me stick to a tighter budget and allowed me to withdraw money in the local currency.

Some prepaid travel cards come with fees, so make sure to do your research as you prepare for your trip. That way, you can figure out whether a prepaid travel card, a debit card, cash, or a credit card is the best option for you. 

This story was originally published in September 2022, and most recently updated on May 6, 2025.

• On a round-trip long-haul flight last summer, I sat in the front and back of the economy cabin.
• Each seat had perks. People at the front had food options, but the back had a galley for stretching.
• I'm still partial to the back, but I understand why people prefer the front.

It's a hot take, but I love the back of a plane — especially on a long-haul flight.

After a handful of eight-plus-hour flights tucked away in the rear of economy, I decided to see if my preference remained strong.

On a long-haul round-trip Lufthansa flight between Denver and Germany in the summer of 2024, I decided to compare the two areas of economy.

For my outbound flight, I sat in row 42, the third-to-last economy row. For my return trip, I was seated in row 11, the first economy row.

Each seat had its perks, but I'm sticking with the back of the plane.

When it comes to food service, the front wins

A few hours into my return flight to Denver, flight attendants came around with carts full of meals. Each passenger was asked a simple question: chicken or pasta?

This wasn't the case when I was seated in the back. When flight attendants reached my row of economy, they had run out of options. Each passenger was handed a tray of beef and mashed potatoes.

From experience, that seems to be the trend. A similar situation happened on a flight to Tokyo and again on a trip to Germany.

If I were a picky eater, this reason alone could sway me to opt for a front-row seat. Instead, I typically request a vegetarian meal for long-haul flights, so my meal is already picked before I board the plane.

My main focus — regardless of whether it's the front or back — is to avoid the bathrooms

When I'm cramped in a tight space, the last thing I want to worry about is a bathroom smell wafting around me for more than 10 hours.

So, my No. 1 priority when picking a long-haul seat is sitting far from the bathrooms. On many larger aircraft, the economy bathrooms are stationed in the middle of the cabin.

For my 10-hour flight to Germany, I was in the back of economy, and there wasn't a bathroom directly behind me. Instead, a galley was just a few feet away, ideal for a quick stretch break.

I also didn't have a bathroom nearby for my return flight at the front. If I opt for the front on a future flight, I'll double-check that the premium economy cabin has no bathrooms near my seat.

Any open seats remained in the back of the plane

I've been lucky enough to have one or two long-haul flights without a middle-seat passenger. I've celebrated every bit of extra room and tried hard to recreate that luck.

I'm convinced your best chance of having an empty seat is if you're in the back of a cabin. Since most people avoid the rear, those seats are chosen last, or hopefully not chosen at all.

A few days before each flight, I checked the seat map and noticed my theory was correct. The majority of the empty seats remaining were toward the back of economy.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case when I boarded the plane. Both flights were fully booked, meaning I would've been sitting next to someone no matter where I was on the plane.

On one flight, sitting in the rear helped me disembark faster

One of the main arguments for sitting in the front of economy is that you get off the plane faster.

While that's been the case on most of my long-haul flights, it wasn't when we landed at the Munich airport. Instead, flight attendants informed the passengers that we'd use both the front and back doors for disembarking. Since I was seated in the back, I was off the plane in no time.

However, had I been sitting in the back on my return flight, I would've been one of the last people off the plane. This would have also meant a much longer line when I reached customs.

No economy seat on a long-haul flight is ideal, but I'm sticking with the back

No matter the seat, a 10-hour flight isn't fun. I've learned to be patient and celebrate small wins, like getting a window seat or having an empty seat nearby.

Ultimately, everyone has their preferences. Mine just happens to be at the back of the plane, where I have a galley for stretching and a better chance at an empty seat.

• Honeywell developed two new systems designed to make takeoffs and landings safer.
• Surf-A alerts pilots about potential runway collisions.
• Smart-X lets pilots know if they are taking off or landing on a taxiway instead of a runway.

Honeywell Aerospace Technologies has developed a series of new systems that alert pilots to impending danger during takeoffs and landings. They say the technology could help make aircraft collisions and near-misses a thing of the past

I recently took a demonstration flight aboard Honeywell's Boeing 757 test plane, showcasing its new Surface Alert, or SURF-A, and existing Smart-X systems.

Both systems are built into the plane's avionics software and warn pilots directly, giving them precious extra seconds to react.

"Pilots are our last line of defense. They are the ones who can help mitigate a disaster. These are tools, a third set of eyes to help increase their situational awareness," Thea Feyereisen, a human factors expert who helps lead research and development at Honeywell Aerospace, told Business Insider in an interview.

According to a recent study by Boeing, the minutes surrounding an aircraft's takeoff and landing account for nearly two-thirds of all deadly aviation accidents, but only 6% of a flight's total time.

Here's a closer look at my test flight.

The test flight started with an early morning briefing at the Signature Aviation private jet terminal on the northern edge of Atlanta's international airport.

The Honeywell team gave us an overview of its new SURF-A tech, which is expected to receive FAA certification next year. The system warns pilots if a plane is already on or about to cross the runway they are approaching.

The flight would also demonstrate their existing Smart-X technology that lets pilots know if they are about to take off or land on a taxiway or if there won't be enough runway to land safely.

Both systems are available as software upgrades on aircraft equipped with Honeywell's popular enhanced ground proximity warning systems, or EGPWS.

After the briefing, we boarded Honeywell's Boeing 757-200 test plane.

The Honeywell jet was the fifth 757 ever to roll off Boeing's assembly line. It entered service with Eastern Airlines in 1983 and was acquired by Honeywell in 2005.

Since joining the Honeywell fleet, the jet has clocked over 4,000 flight hours on more than 1,000 test flights.

It's set up to test everything from weather radars and in-flight WiFi to sustainable aviation fuel. The jet has also been fitted with an extra engine pylon on the starboard side of its fuselage to test turbofan and turboprop engines.

After boarding, the Honeywell team gave the passengers a pre-flight safety briefing.

Unlike most Boeing 757s, the aircraft features built-in air stairs that can be deployed at airports without the capability of supporting a jetliner of its size.

Here is my seat for the demo flight.

Seat 1B is an old-school domestic first-class seat immediately in front of the bulkhead.

In front of the seat is a large LCD screen connected to four cameras in the flight deck.

The four cameras let the passengers see the cockpit displays and gave us a pilot's eye view of the flight.

Soon, we were off the ground and en route to an airport in Albany, Georgia, about 180 miles south of Atlanta.

The test flight consisted of half a dozen simulated test scenarios, with a Honeywell-owned King Air turboprop test plane serving as the offending aircraft that triggered the safety alerts.

During the short 20-minute flight south, I had the chance to stroll around the cabin.

Here's one of the plane's two Rolls-Royce RB211 turbofan engines, each producing a whopping 40,000 lbs of thrust. The 757 has a reputation among pilots for being an absolute hotrod, even when loaded with passengers and cargo.

Further back in the cabin, a group of Honeywell engineers monitored the plane's systems.

Even though this was a demo flight with media, there was still precious data that could be collected.

The first scenario involves a plane on the landing runway.

SURF-A warned the pilots repeatedly with aural and visual signals about "Traffic on Runway" when it detected the King Air sitting at the end of the runway.

The scenario simulates how the system might have provided additional reaction time in situations like the February 2023 incident, in which a FedEx Boeing 767 cargo plane nearly landed on top of a Southwest Boeing 737 attempting to take off from the same runway in Austin.

The test flight also showed SURF-A alerting when a plane crosses the runway during takeoff.

This scenario is much like the incident from January 2023 when a Delta 737 had to slam on its brakes after an American Airlines jet crossed the runway from which it was trying to take off.

SURF-A is also designed to alert a landing plane if an aircraft is crossing the runway.

It could help prevent incidents like the Southwest Airlines flight that narrowly avoided colliding with a private jet crossing the runway as it descended to land at Midway Airport in Chicago in February.

Honeywell also showed off its Smart-X runway awareness and alerting system, or RAAS.

The system, already on the market, alerted pilots when they tried to take off from and land on a taxiway.

In March, a Southwest Airlines jet mistook a taxiway at Orlando International Airport for a runway and attempted to take off from it. The Boeing 737 accelerated to 70 knots before being ordered by air traffic control to stop.

Smart-X also alerts pilots when their landing approach is at too high an altitude or they've gone too far down the runway to stop safely.

After landing, the system will also call out the maximum distance the pilots have left to stop before the runway ends.

After completing the test scenarios, I had the chance to ride in the cockpit jumpseat for the short flight back.

We touched down safely back in Atlanta on Runway 28, concluding our two-hour-long test flight.

After our flight, the Boeing 757 was refueled and prepped for more demonstrations.

The aircraft spent a few days in Atlanta before returning to its base in Phoenix.

• Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon used an Air Force One plane known as SAM 970.
• The first jet-powered presidential aircraft featured an office and a safe for the nuclear codes.
• The retired plane, used from 1959 to 1996, is on display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

President Dwight Eisenhower became the first US president to travel by jet when he flew on a new Air Force One plane in 1959.

The jet, known as SAM (Special Air Missions) 970, was customized to meet the needs of the president and White House staff. It included a presidential stateroom, a conference room, seats for members of the press, and a safe for the nuclear codes.

Retired in 1996, SAM 970 now lives at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. I visited the museum in July to tour the old Air Force One and see how presidents once traveled.

Take a look inside.

Four US presidents flew aboard the Air Force One plane known as SAM 970.

In 1959, the customized Boeing 707-153 known as SAM 970 became the new presidential aircraft, replacing the propeller-powered C-121C Super Constellation used by President Dwight Eisenhower. SAM 970 was part of the VC-137 series of planes.

SAM 970 was used by Eisenhower as well as Presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, and Richard Nixon.

In 1962, a newer VC-137C plane replaced it as the primary presidential aircraft, but it still transported vice presidents and other VIPs. The SAM 970 remained part of the presidential fleet until 1996.

The retired aircraft is on display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

Admission to the museum costs $26 per adult. Tickets can be purchased on the Museum of Flight's website.

The exhibit featured figures of Nixon and Premier Zhou Enlai of China shaking hands, recreating the moment the two leaders met.

Nixon took Air Force One to visit China in 1972, becoming the first US president to visit mainland China while holding office.

The cockpit included seats for a pilot, copilot, flight engineer, and guest or auxiliary crew member.

The plane's maximum speed was 590 miles per hour. The top speed of the current Air Force One, the VC-25A, is 630 miles per hour.

The communication station featured state-of-the-art radio and communication equipment.

From the plane, the president could reach the White House Situation Room and the National Military Command Center and send secret communications.

Across from the communication station, the briefcase containing codes to initiate a nuclear strike was kept locked in a safe.

Known as the "nuclear football," every president since Eisenhower has been accompanied by the briefcase at all times.

The safe also held military communication center codes.

In the forward galley, crew members prepared food and drinks for the president and other crew.

The two galleys on Air Force One included ovens, refrigerators, and open-burner stovetops. Drink dispensers also served coffee, water, and other beverages.

A phone in the crew compartment came with a warning against discussing classified information.

A plaque next to the phone read "Caution. This phone has no security provisions. Sensitive or classified material should not be discussed."

A narrow hallway led to Air Force One's meeting areas.

Presidents met with staff, received briefings, and took phone calls while traveling on Air Force One, earning it the nickname of the "flying Oval Office."

The flight crew added fake temperature controls to the presidential stateroom to appease Johnson, who often complained about the cabin temperature.

Whenever Johnson adjusted the fake temperature dial, it alerted the captain, who could then decide to change the cabin's temperature or leave it the same, a Museum of Flight guide said.

Johnson had a doggie door installed in the stateroom to accommodate his restless pet beagles.

Johnson's beagles would often howl if they were left in the conference room too long, according to the Museum of Flight.

The stateroom room included its own private bathroom.

The private bathroom was much more spacious than the lavatories used by the flight crew and members of the press.

The presidential conference room featured more space for larger meetings.

The seating booth featured seat belts in case of rough air.

White House staffers and cabinet members who joined the president on trips sat in the staff seating area.

The roomy sets of four seats featured tables between them.

A separate secretary station provided more workspace for staff.

The workstation was outfitted with a lamp and typewriter.

Members of the press sat further back on the plane.

The staff seating area looked the most similar to regular economy cabin seats.

The aft galley in the back of the plane served food and drinks to senior staff and the press.

Like the forward galley, the aft galley was furnished with kitchen appliances and drink dispensers.

The tail of the plane was decorated with an American flag.

First lady Jackie Kennedy chose Air Force One's blue, white, and metallic color scheme.

During his first term, President Donald Trump proposed new Air Force One colors of red, white, and navy blue for Boeing's long-delayed new Air Force One plane. The Air Force rejected his design since the darker colors would have cost more and caused overheating issues. The plane was supposed to be ready in 2024, but its completion timeline has been pushed to 2027.

• I flew in all of Delta Air Lines' cabin categories last year, from the economy main to Delta One.
• Some upgrades had drawbacks, like Delta One's dated cabin and Premium Select's limited seat choices.
• The main cabin cabin offers me more seat options and allows me to travel more for less.

Last year, I flew with Delta Air Lines across four continents on 66 flights.

During that time, I traveled in all four of Delta's cabin categories, ranging from an economy seat on a 15-hour flight from Africa to lie-flat seats in Delta One from Europe to the US.

As a frequent traveler, I typically book with Delta to maximize reward points and maintain my Platinum Medallion loyalty status. I usually choose the most affordable fares and often put my credit-card points toward my flights.

Occasionally, I receive complimentary upgrades with my status, but I'll also splurge on a premium seat if the price is right. However, the cost of a premium seat doesn't always align with my expectations.

There are a few reasons I'd choose the affordability and practicality of economy seats over the high price tag of premium class any day.

I upgraded to Delta One on a return flight from Germany but wasn't completely sold.

Last spring, I flew to Germany to reunite with my husband after his military deployment. We splurged on an upgrade to the most premium class available for our flight home, spending an extra $699 each for Delta One.

The lie-flat seat was a luxury on our 10-hour flight, and the service was fantastic, but our plane seemed a bit outdated and worn. From the clunky entertainment system to the lack of privacy between seats, I felt our nearly-20-year-old aircraft showed its age.

We got elevated meals, amenity kits, and complimentary alcohol, but I expected more features or perks considering a Delta One upgrade often costs thousands of dollars.

Although our experience fell short of my expectations, I still think the upgrade was worth paying for to celebrate such a special occasion.

In the future, I would only justify the cost of Delta One if I knew I'd be on a newer plane with more state-of-the-art amenities. After all, some newer Delta One classes have suites with doors.

On one upgrade to Delta's Premium Select class, I got stuck in a middle seat.

When returning from Europe last winter, my husband and I upgraded to Premium Select seats for $209 each on our nine-hour flight.

Premium Select upgrades are primarily offered on long-haul flights and come with early boarding (although my status already gets me into the same boarding group that this would).

We enjoyed the added legroom and additional recline of our seats, which made them noticeably more comfortable. The upgraded dining, larger entertainment screens, and in-flight amenity kits also elevated the experience.

However, we upgraded at the last minute, so our seat options were limited. Unfortunately, I ended up sandwiched in the middle seat next to a stranger. In hindsight, I wish I'd saved the money and kept my window seat in economy.

Being crammed in a middle seat for nine hours took away from the premium experience. Next time, I'd try to upgrade earlier so I could choose a better seat.

Overall, Premium Select strikes a solid balance between affordability and comfort with its thoughtful amenities and extra space. However, it's not always available on Delta flights, and I'd likely skip it if I couldn't get a spot next to a window.

I've traveled many times in Delta's Comfort Plus — but the extra legroom isn't always worth the added cost for me.

A step above economy, Delta's Comfort Plus provides slightly more legroom and priority boarding. For domestic itineraries, this class also receives alcoholic drinks and a better selection of snacks.

With my status, I've received many complimentary upgrades to Comfort Plus.

Last fall, I flew in Comfort Plus from Seoul to Atlanta after one such free upgrade. As a tall woman, the extra legroom was an added bonus, especially on a 13-hour flight.

However, I've found you can get about the same amount of legroom in an economy exit row for a more affordable price.

I'm happy to accept a free upgrade to Comfort Plus, but I wouldn't pay extra for these seats, which I've seen cost $100 or more than economy.

And, on international routes, Comfort Plus receives many of the same in-flight amenities as the rest of the main cabin. That said, Comfort Plus does get reserved overhead bin space, which is always nice on a fully booked flight.

I prefer saving money by booking Delta's main cabin — and I've not yet had a bad experience.

Most of my Delta flights have been in economy class, including long-haul flights to Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Although some complain about economy seats, I actually prefer choosing this affordable option. For starters, Delta's main cabin offers more seat choices, which gives me flexibility.

I can almost always snag my preferred seat next to a window, where I can lean on the side of the plane to sleep during the flight.

Plus, I often monitor the seating chart before international flights, and like that I can move near an empty row or seat whenever possible.

Although some also consider basic economy to be a cabin category, its seats are still in the main cabin, you just can't choose where you sit (and there are limitations with changing and canceling your trip).

I'd rather be able to select my seat before my flight instead of saving a few bucks.

Plus, going on cheaper flights means I can take more of them.

Overall, I'd rather book a cheaper flight so I can spend money elsewhere on my trip.

A flight is just one of the many costs of a vacation. I also need to pay for accommodations, additional transportation, meals, and activities.

By booking affordable economy flights, I have more money to travel more often — and that's always my goal. Plus, I can almost always secure my beloved window seat if I book my trip far enough in advance.

However, I'm definitely still open to enjoying the occasional upgrade if the price, plane, and time feel right.

• Vice presidents started traveling by plane via Air Force Two in 1959.
• Vice President JD Vance flies in a C-32, a custom military version of a commercial jetliner.
• It features a communications center, stateroom, and 32 seats for journalists.

For vice presidents of the United States, frequent travel is in the job description. Luckily, they get to travel in style.

While traversing the country and the world, Vice President JD Vance flies in a custom C-32 plane featuring an advanced communications center, conference room, and private stateroom.

The plane measures 155 feet long and can fly 5,500 nautical miles without refueling. When Vance is on board, it's known as "Air Force Two."

Take a look inside the vice president's plane.

Any Air Force plane carrying the US vice president is called "Air Force Two."

Similar to the president aboard "Air Force One," the designation of "Air Force Two" refers to any Air Force plane carrying the vice president, not a specific jet or model.

Over the years, several different planes have carried the Air Force Two title, transporting vice presidents and their staff around the world. The most commonly used jet is a C-32, a customized military version of a commercial Boeing 757-200 plane.

The vice president is generally prohibited from flying on "Air Force One," a plane carrying the president.

The president and vice president don't travel together for security reasons.

It's customary for presidents and vice presidents to salute service members as they board and disembark presidential planes.

Service members are required to salute the president as commander in chief, but not the vice president. Still, it's customary for troops to salute vice presidents, as well.

Richard Nixon was the first vice president to travel internationally via jet on official business, visiting what was then the USSR in 1959.

Nixon, who served as President Dwight D. Eisenhower's vice president, flew on a Boeing VC-137A Stratoliner to visit the USSR in 1959. 

Beginning with the Ford administration in 1975, this DC-9 jet flew as Air Force Two until 2005.

The jet was first used by President Gerald Ford's vice president, Nelson Rockefeller.

It featured a VIP cabin with 10 seats and a main cabin with 32 first-class seats.

The plane was retired from service during the Bush administration in 2005 and placed up for auction by the General Services Administration in 2013.

Vice President Al Gore decorated the VIP cabin with family photos.

Gore worked on his acceptance speech for the 2000 Democratic National Convention aboard Air Force Two.

The cabin also featured a clock with different time zone displays.

The clock featured the time in Washington, DC, and whatever destination Air Force Two was bound for.

The updated C-32 plane most commonly used by vice presidents first deployed in 1998.

With a wingspan of nearly 125 feet, each engine features 41,700 pounds of static thrust, according to the Air Force.

As vice president, Joe Biden hung a map of the world in his Air Force Two work area.

Biden traveled over one million miles on Air Force Two during his time as vice president.

Mike Pence's staff decorated Air Force Two for his birthday in 2017.

Staffers celebrated the vice president's birthday with streamers and balloons aboard the jet.

Kamala Harris also celebrated birthdays on the plane.

Harris brought cupcakes and sang "Happy Birthday" to her domestic policy advisor, Kate Childs Graham, in 2021.

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff traveled aboard Air Force Two, as well.

Air Force Two is occasionally used by the first lady and Cabinet members.

Emhoff filled out his March Madness basketball bracket en route to Las Vegas in March 2021.

The back of Air Force Two contains 32 business-class seats for members of the press.

Vice presidents and staff occasionally hold informal briefings with reporters known as "press gaggles" aboard Air Force Two.

The press area features TV screens that can play cable news.

The rear cabin also contains a galley, two bathrooms, and closets.

Vice President JD Vance has taken several international trips on Air Force Two, including to France, Germany, and Greenland.

In February, Vance visited France and Germany with his wife, Usha Vance, and their three children. Vance attended the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris and the Munich Security Conference.

In March, the vice president and second lady toured Pituffik Space Base, the only US military base in Greenland. Usha Vance was originally scheduled to visit historical sites and attend Greenland's national dogsled race on a solo trip. The visit was scaled back amid tensions between the US, Greenland, and Denmark as President Donald Trump doubled down on his longtime goal of acquiring Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, in the interest of national security.

• Modern commercial air travel pales in comparison to the pampered flying experience of the 1960s.
• Luxury air travel is still alive and well in the first-class cabins of the world's leading airlines.
• Brands like Pan Am have given way to Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and Etihad. 

Flying these days can be a slog.

For most of us, it's something we tolerate as a means to get from point A to point B. It's no longer a special occasion. For the traveling masses, commercial flying has been reduced to the essence of what it is: public transportation. 

Things didn't used to be this way. We've all been regaled with tales of the Golden Age of air travel: spacious seats, cosseting service, fine wines, and gourmet meals. 

However, the glamour of the Golden Age has not completely vanished. It's still alive and well in the first-class cabins of the world's leading airlines like Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and Etihad.

And then there's the inflight experience. Modern first-class cabins offer a greater degree of privacy, comfort, technology, and personalization than the jet set could have ever imagined. With prices that could top $40,000 for a round-trip, these tickets are far from affordable. Then again, neither was first class during the Golden Age of Flight.

Here's a closer look at how first-class air travel has changed over the past 70 years.  

The age of jet-powered scheduled passenger air travel began in 1952 with the De Havilland Comet 1. However, a series of fatal crashes forced the plane to be grounded for modifications.

Even though later versions of the jet, such as the Comet 3 seen here, would go on to serve successfully in airline fleets around the world, it was no longer at the forefront of the industry.

While the Comet was dealing with its troubles, it was overtaken by the Boeing 707 and the Douglas DC-8 as the jet-powered workhorses of the airline industry.

The jetliners of the era, while not quite as refined as today's aircraft, were faster and smoother than their propeller-powered contemporaries.

The capabilities of the jetliner served as a great complement to the first-class services provided by the world's airlines, such as gourmet meals.

Reclining seats included footrests and leaned almost all the way back.

Cocktail lounges were also a feature of the first-class flying experience in the 1950s.

The introduction of the double-decker Boeing 747 jumbo jet in 1970 took first-class service to new heights.

The extra width of the 747's cabin gave airlines the ability to up their games even further.

The first-class cabin's gourmet dining remained.

Flutes of Champagne were an added bonus.

Spiral staircases led to the 747's upper deck lounge.

Some early jumbo jets were even equipped with pianos.

Between 1976 and 2003, Air France and British Airways passengers had the opportunity to fly on the Concorde supersonic airliner.

Its speed came at the expense of a smaller cabin, but passengers were still treated to fine wines and gourmet meals.

During the 1990s, airlines began to introduce 180-degree lie-flat seats to their first-class cabins along with improved in-flight entertainment.

By the late 1990s, a new generation of first-class cabins with added privacy began to take shape, which would play a huge role in the development of today's business-class seats.

The next leap forward for first-class cabins coincided with the arrival of the Airbus A380.

The massive double-decker entered service with Singapore Airlines in 2007.

The enclosed first-class suite on the A380 afforded passengers an extra measure of privacy.

Two suites could even be merged to create a couple's suite.

Dubai's Emirates is the A380's largest customer with more than 120 aircraft in the fleet.

Emirates has also launched its own first-class suites.

Amenities include access to an in-flight shower.

However, the ultimate first-class experience comes courtesy of Etihad.

In 2014, the Abu Dhabi-based airline introduced the Residence first-class suite on board its A380s.

Each 125-square-foot, three-room suite features an en suite bathroom with a shower.

It also includes a private bedroom and a personal butler.

There is only one Residence suite per aircraft, and tickets can cost more than $41,000 for a round trip between New York and Abu Dhabi.

Etihad also offers a 45-square-foot first-class suite called The Apartment with access to a shared shower and a lounge stocked with beverages.

In 2017, Emirates introduced its next generation of first-class suites on its fleet of Boeing 777 airliners.

They were the industry's first suites to be enclosed from floor to ceiling, effectively making them flying hotel rooms.

The suites even come with artificial windows that use cameras mounted to the plane's fuselage to give the passengers a view of the outside world.

In 2017, Singapore Airlines also announced it would spend $850 million on a new generation of first-class suites for its fleet of Airbus A380s.

Two suites can be joined to create a two-passenger mega-suite.

In 2023, Japan Airlines debuted new first-class cabins on its Airbus A350-1000 featuring 43-inch TVs and speakers built into the headrests.

Although not every airline's first-class cabin features a full suite, common features include large, comfortable seats, upscale beverages, and delicious food.

While many domestic carriers have done away with first class, United Airlines launched United First in 2023.

United First includes features like wireless charging, privacy barriers, and Bluetooth-enabled 13-inch seat-back screens.

In 2025, Qantas is set to begin operating the world's longest flights from Sydney to London and New York in first-class suites with beds, recliners, and wardrobes.

This story was originally published in May 2019. It was most recently updated in March 2025.

• Two United Airlines flights to Shanghai were disrupted this month after pilots forgot their passports.
• The incidents caused delays and diversions to passengers.
• Diverting flights is costly due to fuel, crew members, and compensation.

Not one but two United Airlines pilots have forgotten their passports this month, triggering diversions and lengthy delays for passengers.

Saturday's United flight 198 from Los Angeles to Shanghai was diverted to San Francisco International Airport "as the pilot did not have their passport on board," an airline spokesperson told Business Insider.

"We arranged for a new crew to take our customers to their destination that evening. Customers were provided with meal vouchers and compensation."

The Boeing 787-9 was carrying 257 passengers and 13 crew.

The diversion was a hot topic in the subreddit r/unitedairlines over the weekend. Some shared the message United had sent passengers, apologizing for the disruption, and describing the situation as "an unexpected crew-related issue requiring a new crew."

"Once they arrive, we'll get you back on your way to Shanghai as soon as possible," the message read. "We sincerely apologize for this disruption and appreciate your patience."

Some Redditors noticed another United flight had been delayed on March 14 — also heading to Shanghai from LAX.

"Is this the same guy who forgot his passport on March 14?!" wrote a user named simplegrocery3. Commenters concluded that it was unlikely to be the same pilot.

United said in a statement that flight UA857, a Boeing 777 heading for Shanghai with 348 passengers and 16 crew, was delayed on March 14 "prior to departure due to one of the pilots not having their passport."

"A new pilot was brought in, and the flight subsequently departed for Shanghai," the spokesperson said.

Diverting a plane is costly, due to the expense of replacement crew, compensation for passengers — and possibly dumping fuel as well.

It's far from the first time that pilots have forgotten their passports. In 2019, a T'way Air flight from Vietnam to Seoul was delayed by 11 hours when the pilot lost his passport and couldn't enter the airport, The Korea Times reported.

• A pilot has been fined for losing contact with air traffic control.
• Britain's Royal Air Force then scrambled to intercept the plane because of hijacking concerns.
• Pilots in UK air space can face two years in prison if they don't maintain radio communication.

A pilot has been fined after failing to maintain communication with air traffic control, which led to a flight being intercepted by Britain's Royal Air Force.

An investigation by the UK Civil Aviation Authority found that the pilot, Christopher Hollands, didn't appropriately communicate via radio with air traffic control during an SAS Connect flight from Oslo, Norway, to the English city of Manchester in February last year.

This is against British law per the Air Navigation Order of 2016.

Hollands was sentenced to pay £4,511, or $5,849, on Thursday at Manchester Magistrates' Court.

According to the CAA, communication was lost for more than 30 minutes during the flight. This led to air traffic control alerting the RAF over fears that the lack of communication could be a sign of a hijacking.

Two Typhoon fighter jets intercepted the Airbus A320 aircraft, which was carrying 58 passengers. When the plane landed in Manchester, it was sent to an isolated part of the airport and boarded by armed police.

Glenn Bradley, the head of flight operations at the CAA, said in a statement that incidents of lost communication such as this "are a matter of great concern both for us as the aviation regulator, and for the Government."

"Aviation is one of the safest methods of transportation, and it relies on pilots maintaining radio communication with air traffic control through the standard channels during flight," Bradley said.

"We continue to work with pilots, airlines, and the Government to reduce similar incidents, including by prosecuting offenders when appropriate to maintain confidence in UK aviation's safety and security."

Hollands is the first pilot to ever be prosecuted under this law in the UK. The CAA is now warning other pilots that if an incident of lost communication is deemed serious enough, they could face up to two years imprisonment.

• Airbus' worst-selling A330-800neo is expanding to more routes.
• The jet is unpopular due to its higher seat cost and smaller capacity compared to the A330-900neo.
• Only three global are scheduled to fly the plane on a few dozen routes in 2025.

Airbus has a strong aircraft portfolio, and its deliveries consistently outpace Boeing's. But one of its planes has proven to be a commercial flop: the Airbus A330-800neo.

The jet flies further than its A330-900neo sister, but it has a higher per-seat fuel burn while carrying fewer people — tanking potential profits.

Only three airlines operate the plane: Air Greenland, Kuwait Airways, and Uganda Airlines. This year, it will go to one new city.

Beginning May 18, Uganda Airlines will launch four-times-weekly A330-800neo flights between Entebbe and London Gatwick Airport, bridging the two countries nonstop for the first time since 2015.

It's the first time London has welcomed the jet since September 2023. People who hope to experience the ultra-rare plane can board in about three dozen cities worldwide this year.

Data from the aviation analytics company Cirium shows only about 4,600 A330-800neo flights are scheduled for 2025, up about 450 from 2024.

Here is every route the A330-800neo is scheduled to fly this year, per Cirium data. Kuwait, the plane's launch customer in 2020, is the largest operator.

Nuuk is a new A330-800neo city as of November 2024. Air Greenland — the plane's smaller operator — inaugurated widebody flights from the country's capital after the airport built a bigger runway.

The airline's A330-800neo route to Reyjavik is also new in 2025 but will only fly two roundtrips, one in June and one in August. The route will otherwise use Boeing 737-800s and De Havilland Dash 8 turboprops.

Kuala Lumpur is a returning route for Kuwait, which last flew to the city in October 2023. Kuwait won't fly its A330-800neo to Bangkok in 2025 like it did last year, swapping the route for the larger Boeing 777-300ER.

A handful of Kuwait's routes will only fly a few roundtrips in April, including to Lahore and Islamabad in Pakistan and to Tbilisi, Georgia. Munich will run twice in June.

Kuwait's service to Ahmedabad, India, and Mashhad, Iran, were omitted from the map because they were single roundtrips that already operated in February and March.

One major market absent from the global A330-800neo network is the US.

Kuwait last flew the aircraft nonstop to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport in October 2023 but has since swapped the jet for the Boeing 777-300ER.

Why the A330-800neo is so unpopular

The A330-800neo was built as a longer-range version of the A330-900neo, flying about 1,000 miles further than its sister aircraft. The range was supposed to be the main selling point, but it hasn't been enough to offset its less favorable size and costs.

The A330-800neo can carry up to 406 people, compared to up to 465 passengers on the A330-900neo. Both are powered by next-generation Rolls Royce Trent 7000 engines that burn 25% less fuel than older A330s.

The A330-800neo's shrunken size and complementary efficiency may seem like a sweet spot on lower-demand, far-away routes, but the per-seat cost is greater because the plane holds fewer people while still carrying the same structural components and engines as the A330-900neo.

The A330-900neo's capacity allows for more revenue potential, especially since the larger cabin can accommodate more high-dollar business or first-class seats. Plus, the A330-900neo's 8,300-mile range is already suitable for airlines' needs.

The A330-800neo's unfavorable economics have made it Airbus' worst-selling plane. Air Greenland has one, Kuwait Airways has four, and Uganda Airlines has two. One unnamed private operator bought a single unit in 2023.

However, Garuda Indonesia canceled its purchase agreement for four A330-800neos in October, bringing the plane's net orders to just eight over 11 years.

The A330-900neo has garnered nearly 400 orders during the same time and Cirium data shows it will fly about 82,000 scheduled flights in 2025.

No one has ordered the A330-800neo in nearly two years, though the plane's cheaper $260 million price tag could help recoup the higher operating costs. The sister plane is nearly $300 million.

Still, it's unclear whether Airbus will eventually abandon the project or keep it as an option, considering it invested in the plane and possibly doesn't want those efforts wasted.

• President Donald Trump swapped his private jet for VIP government aircraft, including Air Force One.
• Government and military officials have access to private jets, helicopters, and a "flying war room."
• Trump hopes to receive a new fleet of Air Force One 747s before the end of his term in 2029.

President Donald Trump has once again ditched his prized personal private jet for an arsenal of VIP government aircraft.

The most famous is Air Force One, a pair of highly modified Boeing 747 double-deckers that have flown every president since George H. W. Bush beginning in 1990.

But there are many lesser-known government VIP aircraft, including a flying command center, smaller Boeing narrowbodies, private jets, and helicopters responsible for shuttling the president and vice president, military and congressional leaders, cabinet members, and more. Members of the press are also regularly invited on board.

Branches of the US military maintain and operate the fleet of aircraft, and military pilots are employed for the highly specialized missions. The aviators need thousands of hours of flying and combat experience.

The fleet is poised to change as the Trump Administration hopes to acquire new 747 planes to replace the aging Air Force One collection, though that may not happen until after his second term.

Air Force One Boeing 747s generally carry the president.

Air Force One has flown US presidents for decades — though the codename generally refers to any aircraft carrying the president. According to the White House, it is equipped with armored plating, missile defenses, midair refueling systems, and 4,000 square feet of floor space across three different levels.

This includes bedrooms, conference rooms, a flying Oval Office, a medical center complete with a doctor, and kitchens.

There are rooms onboard for administration members, such as advisors and the Secret Service, as well as the press and other invited guests.

Trump is not happy his new 747s are late

During his first administration, Trump struck a $3.9 billion deal with Boeing to receive two new 747s to replace the now 35-year-old fleet. The agreement saw Boeing take on any additional costs, which now total over $2 billion.

Boeing did not meet the initially expected delivery date of 2024 amid its recent quality and manufacturing problems. The Wall Street Journal reported in December the 747 deliveries may not happen until 2029 or later — and Trump isn't happy about it.

Trump has tasked senior advisor Elon Musk with fast-tracking the Boeing deliveries in hopes he can enjoy them before leaving office.

Air Force Two Boeing 757s carry the vice president.

A fleet of C-32 aircraft, which are modified Boeing 757 passenger jetliners, carry people like the vice president, the first lady, and members of the Cabinet and Congress.

These are dubbed "Air Force Two" when the vice president is onboard.

According to the US Air Force, the plane is divided into four sections. Three contain business or first-class seats, conference rooms, galleys, lavatories, and a communication center.

A separate section is a stateroom for the main guest and includes a private lavatory, a bed, and a changing room, among other personal necessities.

Some top officials fly around in VIP Boeing 737s.

Combatant commanders, cabinet members, and Congresspeople can fly in the US fleet of customized Boeing 737-700 business planes. The USAF's models — the C-40B and C-40C — have advanced performance capabilities, traffic avoidance systems, and weather radar.

According to the USAF, the C-40B is built as an "office in the sky" for top military and government officials and has special communications systems that support WiFi, video, audio, and other transmission equipment.

The C-40C lacks the specialized comms but can be configured with a larger passenger cabin with seats for 42 to 111 people. The Navy has a C-40A "Clipper" 737, but it rarely carries high-ranking government officials.

The presidential helicopter fleet is dubbed Marine One.

The US Marine Corps HMX-1"Nighthawks" manages a fleet of helicopters that are dubbed "Marine One" when the president is on board.

The helicopters adorn a recognizable green-and-white livery and have anti-missile systems and soundproof interiors.

Two models perform presidential missions: the 14-passenger Sikorsky VH-3D Sea King and the 11-passenger VH-60N Blackhawk. The Blackhawks can be folded into military cargo aircraft and transported with the president to support them at their destination.

Several branches of the military carry VIPs in Gulfstream private jets.

Branches of the military operate customized US-made Gulfstream C-37 twin-engine aircraft to transport high-ranking government and Department of Defense officials.

The USAF's C-37B variant can carry the vice president and cabinet members. When carrying the vice president, the Gulfstream would become Air Force Two.

These Gulfstreams have luxe furnishings and advanced safety and security technologies, such as enhanced autopilot and modern vision systems for poor-visibility weather conditions.

The E-4B 'Nightwatch' Boeing 747 is on standby for nuclear war.

The E-4B "Nightwatch" is primarily an airborne operations center that can carry the president, the secretary of defense, the joint chiefs of staff, and other needed personnel in case of a national emergency, such as a nuclear war.

Dubbed the "flying war room" or the "doomsday plane," the fleet is stationed in Omaha, Nebraska and one is available 27/4. The E-4B has a conference, communications, and briefing room, other work areas, and accommodations.

Like Air Force One, the E-4B can refuel midair to allow it to fly nonstop for days. The distinctive hump on the top holds specialized communications and satellite equipment.

In addition to wartime, the E-4B is used by SecDef for international travel and to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency during natural disasters.

The government has other aircraft for troops, top military officials, and cargo.

The military has a fleet of other large transport aircraft available for troops, VIP military officials, and cargo to support the president and other government staff, disaster relief, and humanitarian aid.

These include the C-130 Hercules, the nose-loading C-5 Galaxy, and the C-17 Globemaster. Multiple branches also operate smaller private jets, like the C-20G Gulfstream and the C-21 Learjet.

The customized Gulfstream and Learjet largely carry military officials and other dignitaries, though the latter also ferries medical patients for the USAF. Meanwhile, the C-17 can transport Marine One.

• Hundreds of Air India passengers went on an eight-hour flight to nowhere this week.
• The plane turned back to Mumbai after about four hours when the airline detected a security threat.
• It marks Air India's second flight to nowhere incident in less than a week.

Hundreds of Air India passengers went on an eight-hour flight to nowhere on Monday night after the airline detected a security threat.

Data from Flightradar24 shows that Monday's flight from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Mumbai to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport made a U-turn over the Azerbaijan-Armenia border — a little over four hours into the journey.

The flight to nowhere lasted about eight hours and 20 minutes in total. A direct flight from Mumbai to New York usually takes just under 16 hours.

In a statement, Air India said the diversion was because a "potential security threat was detected" during the flight.

"After following the necessary protocols, the flight air-returned to Mumbai, in the interest of the safety and security of all on board," the statement said, adding that the Boeing 777-300 underwent mandatory security upon landing.

The plane landed back in Mumbai at 10:25 a.m. local time, per Flightradar24.

The airline told Live from a Lounge that 322 people, including 19 crew members, were on board. Air India said the flight was rescheduled to the following day and passengers were offered hotel accommodation, meals, and other assistance.

Air India did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

It was the second flight to nowhere for Air India in less than a week.

On March 7, an Air India flight returned to Chicago after a nine-hour journey when most of the plane's bathrooms stopped working. The airline's investigation found that bags, rags, and clothes had been flushed down the toilets, blocking the plumbing.

Flight diversions, particularly those that return to the departure airport, can be costly for airlines and annoying for passengers, but they are often necessary for safety reasons.

These decisions are usually made on a case-by-case basis, but some carriers, such as American Airlines, have their own automated tools to help dispatchers and other airline workers determine whether a U-turn is necessary.

• Southwest Airlines is ending its free baggage policy, and its competitors smell opportunity.
• United and Delta's CEOs talked about what the change means for them on Tuesday.
• Southwest's move follows investor pressure and a broader business overhaul.

Southwest Airlines is getting rid of its hallmark free baggage policy, and competitors say it's a good thing for them.

The CEOs of United Airlines and Delta Air Lines said on Tuesday that Southwest's change could lead some price-sensitive customers to switch airlines.

United's Scott Kirby said that the Texas-based carrier's elimination of its free bags perk was like "slaying the sacred cow."

"It will be a really big deal for Southwest," Kirby said at the JPMorgan industrials conference. "It would be good for everyone else."

Delta's Ed Bastian made similar comments at the conference.

"Clearly, there are some customers who chose them because of that, and now those customers are up for grabs," Bastian said.

Even Amtrak got in on the conversation, reminding customers in a Tuesday X post that train passengers can bring two carry-on bags for free.

Airlines compete closely for US domestic market share.

Delta had 17.7% of the share, Southwest had 17.3%, and United had 16% of the domestic market share for the year that ended in November 2024, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Ancillary fees, which are extra charges for non-essential add-ons like seat selection, in-flight meals, and baggage, have become an increasingly important revenue source. United reported it made $4.5 billion in ancillary fees in 2024.

Southwest is under heavy investor pressure

On Tuesday, Southwest announced it was changing its "bags fly free" policy to only apply to select premium members from May 28. It said that customers who don't qualify will pay for their first and second checked bags.

In July, Southwest's CEO Bob Jordan said that after fare and schedule, checked bags were the "number one issue in terms of why customers choose Southwest" and he reiterated the stance on checked baggage again in September.

At Tuesday's JPMorgan conference, he said the change would spur Southwest credit card enrollments and add revenue.

"We carry nearly two times the bags as compared to the competition, which is costly on many fronts," Jordan said.

The move is part of Southwest's larger business overhaul as the company faces investor pressure after a series of lackluster earnings. Passenger volumes are below pre-pandemic levels despite strong travel demand. Southwest's stock is down 26% in the last five years, while United is up over 80%.

In July, Elliott Investment Management, which built up an 11% stake in the company, said the airline's decades-old strategies weren't working. The activist investor called for an overhaul of management and the board of directors. In October, Southwest added six directors from outside the company as part of a deal with Elliot.

In July, Southwest abandoned its other famous policy — free seating — and replaced it with basic economy fares and premium seats available for purchase. The company also laid off 15%, or about 1,750, of its corporate employees last month, breaking a decadeslong reputation of not having mass layoffs.

Southwest's stock is down 9% so far this year.

Southwest did not respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours.

• SpaceX's Starship exploded after spinning out of control during its eighth launch to space.
• An amateur astronomer took a stunning video of Starship spiraling and falling from space in flames.
• The footage shows how Starship created a space-debris hazard over southern Florida.

SpaceX's Starship mega-rocket spiraled out, fell from space, and exploded spectacularly after its eighth launch on Thursday.

SpaceX lost the video feed from Starship and cut off its livestream after the vehicle started tumbling, but Scott Ferguson in Sarasota, Florida was recording the whole thing with a telescope.

His unique video footage shows Starship's demise in detail. It also shows what a space-debris hazard the incident created, causing the Federal Aviation Administration to activate its space-debris protocol and briefly ground flights at airports in Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach. If chunks of Starship came raining down, the FAA said, it didn't want planes in the way.

In Ferguson's video, below, Starship creates a bright, ghostly spiral in the sky with wisps of flame.

After about 45 seconds, the spiral becomes a fiery streak as the Starship plummets.

Ferguson, who has a neuroscience PhD and records space footage for his YouTube channel Astronomy Live, told Business Insider he had a camera and a telescope trained on Starship throughout its launch.

Suddenly, SpaceX's webcast showed Starship tumbling and beginning to fall from space. It was likely to explode any minute.

Ferguson told BI he realized in that moment that the software he used to guide his telescope was lagging behind Starship's actual position. He scanned the horizon and saw a bright flare in the southwestern sky. It looked like Starship was blowing up, bright enough for him to see with the naked eye.

He grabbed the joystick controlling his telescope and pointed it at the dying spaceship. By the time he had Starship in his telescope's sights, mere seconds later, he said, it was already almost exactly due south.

"It goes very quickly," Ferguson said.

He kept following it as it arced across the sky, traversing from the Gulf to the Atlantic Ocean as it fell from space.

By the end of his footage, just a few minutes later, the blaze of Starship had disappeared below the southeastern horizon.

Ferguson was disappointed to see Starship explode, but pleased with his footage.

"I'm a fan of any big rocket," Ferguson said, adding that he watched most of the Space Shuttle launches growing up.

NASA is counting on this vehicle to land astronauts on the moon for the first time since the Apollo era, a mission which it aims to fly in 2027.

However, this was Starship's second flight in a row to explode before it finished reaching space.

"It gives me a lot of concern for what that timeline's going to look like," Ferguson said.

Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of SpaceX, said on X that the incident was "a minor setback" and another ship would be ready to fly in four to six weeks.

• Any Air Force plane carrying a US president is called Air Force One.
• John F. Kennedy was the first to use a jet designed specifically for a US president.
• President Donald Trump proposed new paint colors for the exterior of Air Force One in 2019.

Since the mid-20th century, US presidents have flown on special planes designated as "Air Force One" while carrying out their official duties.

Nicknamed the "flying Oval Office," today's Air Force One is equipped with everything the president might need, including office spaces, two kitchens, sleeping quarters, and a fully functional operating room.

Here's how the design of Air Force One has changed through the years.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first president to travel on a jet aircraft in 1959.

Eisenhower's Boeing 707 Stratoliner, nicknamed "Queenie," featured a section for telecommunications, room for 40 passengers, a conference area, and a stateroom, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.

John F. Kennedy was the first to use a jet specifically designed for the US president. It had the tail number 26000.

The Boeing 707 included a living room, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen.

Raymond Loewy designed the plane's blue-and-white exterior.

The plane's design featured an American flag on the tail and presidential seals on the nose.

After Kennedy's assassination in 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in on Air Force One.

It marked the first and only time a presidential swearing-in ceremony took place on an airplane.

Johnson met with Cabinet members on the presidential aircraft in 1966 in a small seating area.

The small alcove was decorated with a globe decal on the wall and curtains lining the windows.

In 1972, Richard Nixon was the first president to use the Boeing 707 plane with tail number 27000 as Air Force One.

Nixon stood behind the plane's bar while meeting with military and civilian leaders en route to Vietnam.

When President Gerald Ford took office after Nixon resigned, seats in the rear cabin were upholstered with striped fabric.

Presidents would occasionally make their way back to the rear cabin to chat with reporters.

Ford's office, just off the stateroom, also featured striped furniture.

Ford is pictured with Candice Bergen, the first female photographer to shoot a behind-the-scenes story on an American president.

President Jimmy Carter outfitted the press area with blue carpeting.

Carter talked to reporters on his way back from a trip to Europe in 1978.

President Ronald Reagan used 27000 as his primary presidential aircraft.

In 1983, Reagan met with Secretary of State George P. Shultz and the national-security advisor designate Robert McFarlane in a meeting space that featured a magazine rack, teal chair, wood-grain table, and photos of him and the first lady, Nancy Reagan.

Reagan also hung pictures of himself in Air Force One's rear cabin.

The photos showed Reagan toasting with a champagne glass and waving while boarding Air Force One.

New blue-striped curtains matched the blue carpeting and furniture in another meeting area.

The meeting room also included a television set.

In 1990, George H. W. Bush began using new Boeing 747 planes with tail numbers 28000 and 29000 as Air Force One.

The presidential office was updated with a stately desk, gray carpeting, and leather chairs.

The staff and secretarial area was decorated with neutral whites and grays.

The staff area featured plenty of phones for official business. Air Force One is also known as the "flying Oval Office."

The new plane's annex could also be configured for medical use.

The annex is pictured in executive configuration, with seating for meetings.

The new planes featured over 4,000 square feet of space, which President Bill Clinton often used to hold meetings.

Clinton met with a delegation from North and South Dakota in 1997 to address flooding in the area.

In the guest area, Clinton's Air Force One featured tan chairs and blue carpeting.

Clinton met with members of Congress to discuss nuclear-waste management in 1999.

President George W. Bush flew 27000 one last time in August 2001 before it was retired to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

The plane flew 444 missions and logged over 1 million miles, according to the Bush White House.

When the World Trade Center and Pentagon were attacked on September 11, 2001, the Secret Service kept Bush in the air aboard the new Air Force One.

Bush insisted on returning to Washington, but the Secret Service refused since they were unsure if more attacks were coming.

In a 2016 interview with Politico, Bush's assistant White House press secretary Gordon Johndroe described Air Force One that day as "the safest and most dangerous place in the world at the exact same time."

Bush conferred with his chief of staff, Andy Card, in the stateroom, designed by Nancy Reagan.

The president's suite included a small bed, light-pink couch and carpeting, and a desk with a brown leather chair.

Bush walked down a hallway arm-in-arm with Harriet Miers, the assistant to the president and staff secretary.

The hallway was lined with a beige couch with side tables and lamps on either side.

When President Barack Obama took office in 2009, Air Force One's conference room had been updated with a TV screen and leather chairs.

The plane has 85 phone lines as well as encryption and scrambling devices to ensure secure communication, CNBC reported.

On the other side of the conference room, a decal that read "Air Force One" was displayed on wood paneling.

Food and drinks are provided by the plane's galley kitchen.

The plane's senior staff room featured more phones, a coat closet, and leather chairs.

Obama met with his chief of staff, Jack Lew, his senior advisors David Axelrod and David Plouffe, and former President Bill Clinton in the senior staff room in 2012.

The presidential office furniture was also updated, with mahogany chairs and sofas replacing the gray.

The carpeting was updated to a subtle star pattern, which also appeared in the conference room.

The plane's guest section was reserved for special visitors like members of Congress.

The chairs featured a subtle polka-dot pattern, and the tables folded down to make more space.

The rear cabin for press looked like a standard commercial airliner.

Journalists can wander the rear cabin freely, but they aren't allowed to walk forward to speak to the president — the president has to come back to them.

President Donald Trump proposed new paint colors for the exterior of Air Force One in 2019.

As part of the Air Force's Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization program to update Air Force One planes, Trump proposed a red, white, and navy-blue color scheme for the new models.

The Air Force ultimately rejected Trump's proposed color scheme because it would have been more costly and caused engineering issues.

The darker paint color would have caused overheating issues and been too costly. Instead, President Joe Biden selected a baby-blue color scheme similar to the current model.

The new VC-25B Air Force One planes are expected to be ready by 2027, according to the Air Force. The project has already cost Boeing over $2 million due to various manufacturing and supply-chain issues.

In President Joe Biden's Air Force One, the conference room had the same star carpeting as the plane's presidential office.

Plain beige carpeting continued down the hallway.

The placard in the conference room was updated to read "Aboard Air Force One" with an image of the iconic aircraft.

Biden took his first overseas trip as president in June 2021, visiting Europe for the G7 summit.

In his second non-consecutive term, President Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America while flying above it on Air Force One.

Trump signed a proclamation establishing the name change in his Air Force One office in February.